Portable electric cigarette



March 17, 1964 B. ALVAREZ ETAL PORTABLE ELECTRIC CIGARETTE, CIGAR AND PIPE LIGHTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 21, 1960 zzs INVENTORS fielarmina Hlvarez Williamjirol/ BY %Mm ATTORNEY March 17, 1964 B. ALVAREZ ETAL 3,125,660

PORTABLE ELECTRIC CIGARETTE, CIGAR AND PIPE LIGHTER Filed Oct. 21, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ITII/II/ I/l/ III/I 55 INVENTORS Be/armino fi/Varez E v Nil/[am fire/l BY WM ATTORNEY March 1964 B. ALVAREZ ETAL PORTABLE ELECTRIC CIGARETTE, CIGAR AND PIPE LIGHTER 4 sheets-sheet 3 Filed Oct. 21, 1960 III/II/I/II/ 1 z WW m fi m% w 3 w 1 &m W 5 I E H ATTORNEY March 17, 1964 B. ALVAREZ ETAL PORTABLE ELECTRIC CIGARETTE, CIGAR AND PIPE LIGHTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 21, 1960 A l, I, I I II,"

mz Wm WM V/ c ww o/wm ofl fl W w mu M B I W 9 United States Patent 3,125,660 PORTABLE ELEIITRIC CIGARETTE, CIGAR AND PIPE LIGHTER Belarmino Alvarez, Estado Bolivar, Venezuela (135 Finelynn Road, Glen Rock, N..I.), and William H. Knoll, Grinoco Mining Co., Puerto Ordaz, Estado Bolivar, Venezuela Filed Get. 21, 1960, Ser. No. 64,101 3 Elaims. (Cl. 219-32) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in smokers appliances or accessories, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a novel lighter which may be conveniently and ellectively employed for igniting cigarettes, cigars, smoking pipes, et cetera.

Unlike pyrophoric lighters of the conventional type, the lighter in accordance with the invention does not require fiints, wicks, lighter fluid, and the like, for its operation, and unlike conventional electric lighters, the present lighter does not require an external source of power supply. As such, the lighter in accordance with the invention is a portable, self-contained entity which may be conveniently carried from place to place and/ or used whenever required for the purpose for which it is intended.

Accordingly, one feature of the invention resides in the provision of an electric lighter having an energizable element powered by a battery carried in the case of the lighter itself, so that the lighter element may be energized by the battery whenever required by closing of an appropriate, associated switch. In the several disclosed embodiments of the invention the battery is either easily replaceable or rechargeable, so that its power supply is available when needed.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the provision of a removable or otherwise openable closure on the lighter casing for the lighter element, such a closure in some embodiments of the invention also tfiunctioning as or c-oacting with switch means for energizing the lighter element by the battery, the parts of the device being so arranged that the lighter element may be energized only when the closure is opened or removed to expose the lighter element, so that accidental or unintentional ener-gization of the element is not possible in instances where the device is not in use and the lighter element is covered by the closure.

Some of the advantages of the invention reside in its simplicity of construction, in its efiicient and dependable operation, in its convenient use, and in its adaptability to economical manufacture.

With the foregoing objects and features in view and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention will be understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference are used to designate like parts, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical elevational view, partly in section, of the lighter in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the lighter element inverted;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on a reduced scale, showing a charging plug applied to the lighter;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view, on a reduced scale, showing a modified arrangement of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing another modified form;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the form shown in FIGURE 6 and with the closure cap illustrated by dotted lines;

3,125,660 Patented Mar. 17, 1964 FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the subject shown in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of another modified form of the invention, the closure cap also being shown by dotted lines;

FIGURE 10' is a fragmentary sectional view of another modified form;

FIGURE r11 is a horizontal sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 1111 in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a Vertical sectional View of another modified form of the invention, showing the same in its inoperative position;

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view, similar to that shown in FIGURE '12 but with the device in its operative position;

FIGURE 14 is a vertical sectional view of another modified embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 15 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIGURE 14 but with the closure cap shown by dotted lines;

FIGURE 16 is a wiring diagram showing one arrangement of the electrical circuit;

FIGURE 17 is a wiring diagram showing another arrangement of the circuit;

FIGURE 18 is a perspective view of a typical lighter, for example, that in accordance with FIGURES 1, 6, 9 or 12;

FIGURE 19 is a perspective View of a typical lighter, for example, in accordance with FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 20 is a perspective view of a lighter embodying another design; and

FIGURE 21 is a perspective view of a lighter embodying still another design.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, more particularly to FIGURES -1, 2 and 3, one embodiment of the lighter in accordance with the invention is designated generally by the numeral 25 and comprises a cylindrical casing 26 of metal or other electrically conductive material, the casing having a closed bottom 27 and an open top provided with an outturned annular lip 28. The casing 26 constitutes a housing for a dry cell battery 29 which also includes a center pole 30 provided with a contact 31, it being understood that the upper end of the battery 29 is spaced downwardly from the upper end of the casing 26 so that the upper end portion of the casing may accommodate therein a lighter element or assembly designated generally by the numeral 32, which assembly also serves as a closure for the casing 216.

The lighter element or assembly 32 comprises a cylindrical jacket 33 which is formed from metal or other electrically conductive material and has mounted in one end portion thereof an insulating grid 34. As is best shown in FIGURE 2, the grid 34 is fitted in the jacket 33 but is formed with notches 35 whereby portions of the grid between these notches provide sets of protrusions 36. A resistance wire 3'7 is wound around and under the protrusions 36 so that it passes in a zig-Zag manner over the top of the grid, and when electric current is caused to flow through the wire 37, the latter will become heated and may be used to ignite a cigarette, cigar or pipe tobacco with which the lighter is brought in contact.

One end of the wire 37 is grounded to the jacket 33 as shown at 38, while the other end portion of the wire passes through a slot 39 (FIG. 2) in the grid 34 and is connected to a center post 4-0 in the jacket, the post it) being centered in the jacket 33 by an insulating disc 40a and having a contact 41 which is insulated from the jacket. It will be also noted that the grid 34 is provided with an opening 42 to provide an air passage around portions of the resistance wire 37 stretched over the top of the grid.

The jacket 33. is provided intermediate its ends with an annular, outwardly projecting bead 43 which is closer to the end of the jacket having the grid 34 therein than to the relatively opposite end having the contact 41. The lighter element assembly 32 is slidably and reversibly received in the upper end portion of the casing 26 and the relative dimensions of parts are such that when the assembly 32 is inserted; in the jacket 26 as shown in FIG.- URE 1, the contact 41 of the lighter assembly engages the contact 31 of the battery 29, thus automatically completing the electrical circuit from the battery through the post it), through the resistance wire 37, and through the jacket 33 and casing 26 to the battery, so that the wire 37 is energized and caused to become heated. Upon removing the lighter assembly 32 from the casing 26, the electrical circuit is automatically interrupted by separation or" the contacts 31, 41, whereupon the assembly 32 may be inserted in the casing 26 in an inverted position shown in FIGURE 3 wherein the grid 34 and wire 37 are spaced above the battery contact 31. In this inoperative position of the device, the grid 34 and resistance wire 37 are protectively enclosed by the casing 26 and, with the contact 41 disposed exteriorly as shown, accidental or unintentional energization of the resistance wire is prevented.

In FIGURE 4 the lighter element or assembly 32 has been removed from the casing 26 and a charging plug 44 inserted therein. The plug 44- is provided with a flexible conductor 45 having one wire 46 thereof connected to a center contact 47 on the plug, while the other wire 48 of the conductor is grounded to the plug and hence to the casing 26 when the plug is inserted in the latter. In such position the plug contact 47 engages the battery contact 31 and, with the conductor 45 connected to a suitable source of electric current, the battery 29 may be recharged when necessary.

FIGURE iilustrates a modified embodiment of the invention wherein the casing 26a accommodates a replaceable battery 49, the casing being provided at its lower end with a removable lower plug or cap 50 whereby replacement of the battery may be effected. A suitable spring 51 is interposed between the plug 50 and the lower end of the battery for urging the upper end of the latter. against an inwardly projecting shoulder 52 formed in the casing 26a. The arrangement and operation of the lighter element assembly 32 is the same as already described.

FIGURES 6-8 show another modified form of the invention wherein the casing 53, containing the battery 54, which may be either a replaceable or a rechargeable battery, is provided in its upper end portion with a pair of slots 55 so that a portion of the casing between the slots forms a resiliently depressible tongue 56. The resistance wire 57 is carried by an insulating grid 58 in the casing 53 above the battery 54', the grid having an air passage 59. One end of the resistance wire 57 is connected to a center contact 60 at the underside of the grid 58 while its other end is connected to a lateral contact 61 provided on the grid 58 in spaced adjacent relation to the tongue 56 of the casing 53. When the tongue 56 is pressed inwardly to engage the contact 61, circuit through the battery and resistance wire is completed, but when pressure on the tongue is released, the tongue returns to its initial position and interrupts the flow of current through the resistance wire. A removable cap or closure 62 is provided on the casing 53 to cover the lighter element when the device is not in use, it being noted that when the cap is in position, it also covers the tongue 56 so that it cannot be accidentally or unintentionally depressed.

The modified embodiment shown in FIGURE 9 is similar to that shown in FIGURES 68 but utilizes a different switch operator which, in this instance, is in the form of a button 63 slidably positioned in a slot 64 in the casing 65. One end of the resistance wire 57 is connected as at 66 to the battery contact 31 while its other end is connected to the contact 67 on the grid 58a. The

. removed.

FIGURES 10 and 11 illustrate another modified embodiment of the invention wherein the casing 71 of the battery 72 accommodates above the battery a vertically slidable grid 73 carrying the resistance wire 74. The casing 71 is preferably rectangular in cross-section and the upper portion of one of its side walls is formed with an opening 75 spanned by a cross bar 76. The latter constitutes a fulcrum for a substantially tubular hinge member 77 of a closure 78, the member 77: being provided with a cam 79 which engages the upper surface of the grid 73 as shown. A pair of stop lugs 80 are provided in the casing 71 to also engage the upper surface of the grid, it being understood that when the closure 78 is swung in the direction of the arrow 81 to its closed position, the grid 73 is swung downwardly in the casing with the lugs 80 acting as fulcrum therefor. A suitable spring 82 is interposed between the battery 72 and the underside of the grid 73 to slide the latter upwardly when. the closure is opened.

One end 83 of the resistance wire 74 is disposed on the grid 73 so that it constantly contacts one of the lugs 80, thus placing the wire 74 in circuit with the casing 71 of the battery 72. The center pole 84 of the battery is equipped with an extension arm 35 which passes slidably through the grid 73 and terminates at itsupper end in an angulated portion 86. The other end 87 of the resistance Wire isdisposed on the grid 73 so that it contacts the portion 86 of the, arm when the. grid is swung upwardly, thus completing the circuit through the battery and the resistance wire when the closure 78 is in its open position. However, when the closure is swung to its closed position, the downward swinging of the grid 73 interrupts the cir-- cuit between the wire end 83 and lug 8t) and between the wire end 87 and arm portion 86 to prevent energization of the resistance wire.

Another modified form of the invention shown in FIGURES 12 and 13 utilizes a cylindrical, metallic inner casing 88 containing a battery 89 and provided with an insulating jacket ht) which, in turn, is. contained in an open-ended metallic outer casing 91. The lower end of the outer casing 91 terminates short of the lower end of the inner casing 88and jacket 89, and the upper end portion of the outer casing accommodates a grid 92 carrying the resistance wire 93. The upper end portion of the casing 91 is formed with an inturned bead or rim 94 to retain the grid in place, the underside of the grid being in abutment with the upper end of the jacket 90, as shown. One end of the resistance wire 93 is connected to the center pole 95 of the battery 89 while the other end of the resistance wire is grounded to the outer casing 91. A removable closure cap or cover 96 is positionable selectively on the upper and lower end portions of the casing 91, the cap being formed from suitable conductive material. Thus, when the cap is positioned at the lower end of the casing 91 as shown in FIGURE 13, it electrically bridges the casings 91 and 88 by contact of the cap with the bottom 88a of the casing 88. In this manner the electrical circuit through the battery and resistance wire is completed, it being noted that with the cap 96 at the lower end of the casing 91, the resistance wire 93 is exposed for use. However, when the cap 96 is positioned on the upper end of the casing 91 so as to cover the resistance wire 93 when the device is not in use, the electrical connection between the casings 88 and 91 is broken and the resistance wire is not energized.

Finally, FIGURES l4 and 15 show another modified form of the invention utilizing a heating eflfect of the hot and cold junction type in place of a resistance wire. In this embodiment the casing 97 accommodates a battery 98 which is longitudinally slidable in the casing, being urged upwardly therein by a suitable spring 99 interposed between the bottom of the battery and a removable plug or cap 100 at the lower end of the casing. The upper end portion of the casing accommodates a grid 101 which is held in place by an inturned shoulder 102 at the upper end of the casing and by a set of inwardly projecting detents 103 formed in the casing at the underside of the grid. A contact bracket 104 is secured in the casing by a suitable screw 105 at a point below the lower end of the battery and provides the cold junction for an electrical conductor 106 which extends upwardly in the casing and through the grid 101 to a hot junction 107 with another conductor 108 of a dissimilar material. The latter is connected to the center pole 109 of the battery 98, having enough slack to permit sliding of the battery as aforesaid.

A switch lever 110 engages an insulating disk 111 on top of the battery 98 and has one end 112 thereof in abutment with the underside of the grid 101. The other end portion of the lever 110 is in the form of a fingerpiece 112 which projects outwardly through a slot 113 formed in an inwardly offset portion 114 of the casing 97 so that the finger-piece does not protrude outwardly beyond the periphery of the casing. The spring 99 normally retains the battery in its upwardly slid position wherein the cold junction 104 is separated from the battery and no current flows through the circuit. However, when the finger-piece 112 is pressed downwardly, the battery 98 is slid downwardly in the casing 97 until it engages the cold junction 104, at which time current flows through the conductors 106, 108 and produces a heating effect at the hot junction 107. Suitable air passages 115 are provided in the grid 101 and a removable closure cap or cover 116 is provided on the casing 97. The cap 116 is equipped with an inwardly projecting annular shoulder 117 for abutment with the upper end of the casing 97 and when the cap is in position on the casing, it covers the inwardly offset casing portion 114 so as to prevent accidental or unintentional actuation of the finger-piece 112.

FIGURE 16 schematically illustrates the wiring arrangement of the embodiments of FIGURES 1-13 wherein the switch means S representing any of the various forms of switch means used in these embodiments are connected in series with the battery B and the resistance wire R. FIGURE 17 on the other hand shows the wiring arrangement of the embodiment of FIGURES 14 and 15, wherein the switch means 104 at the cold junction are in circuit with the battery 98 and dissimilar conductors 106 and 108 to produce a heating effect at the hot junction 107.

From the standpoint of design, FIGURE 18 illustrates a relatively slender, cylindrical form of the device such as may embody the mechanical structure of the invention as disclosed, while FIGURE 19 illustrates the same in the form of an elongated casing of a rectangular crosssection. FIGURE 20 shows the device in a substantially disk-shaped form suitable for carrying in a handbag, for example, while FIGURE 21 shows a desk or table embodiment of the design.

While in the foregoing there have been described and shown several preferred embodiments of the invention, various other modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Accordingly, it is not desired to limit the invention to this disclosure and various modifications may be resorted to, such as may lie within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. An electric lighter comprising in combination a casing of electrically conductive material, a battery provided in said casing and having an insulated pole contact and a second pole contact in circuit with the casing, and a reversible lighter element positioned in the casing, said lighter element being in circuit with the casing and having an insulated pole contact electrically engaged with said insulated pole contact of said battery only when the lighter element is in one of its two reversible positions in the casing, said lighter element comprising a jacket of conductive material in circuit with said casing, an insulating grid, and a resistance wire wound on said grid, one end of said wire being connected to said jacket and the other end thereof being connected to said insulated pole contact of the lighter elmeent.

2. An electric lighter comprising in combination a casing, a lighter element contained in said casing, a battery provided in the casing, switch means operatively connected to said lighter element and to said battery for energizing the former by the latter, an openable closure provided on said casing for said lighter element, means operatively coordinating said closure with said switch means whereby the switch means are closed when the closure is opened and vice versa, said casing having an open-ended tubular extension projecting upwardly above the portion occupied by said battery, said lighter element closure comprising a reversible plug adapted to fit into the open end of said tubular portion in either of its two reversed positions, the removable plug and tubular extension of the casing being provided with coacting means limiting the extent of movement of the plug into the tubular extension.

3. An electric lighter comprising in combination a casing, a lighter element contained in said casing, a battery provided in the casing, switch means operatively connected to said lighter element and to said battery for energizing the former by the latter, an openable closure provided on said casing for said lighter element, means operatively coordinating said closure with said switch means whereby the switch means are closed when the closure is opened and vice versa, said casing having an open-ended tubular extension projecting upwardly above the portion occupied by said battery, said lighter element closure comprising a reversible plug adapted to fit into the open end of said tubular portion in either of its two reversed positions, the plug being provided with an annular bead intermediate its ends for limiting the extent of insertion of the plug into the open end of the casing, said head being closer to one end of the plug than to the other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,183,264 Woodrow May 16, 1916 1,297,654 Burgess Mar. 18, 1919 1,516,133 Allyn Nov. 18, 1924 1,631,514 Brush et al June 7, 1927 1,686,579 Staats et al Oct. 9, 1928 1,721,203 Bucknell et a1 July 16, 1929 2,030,011 MacLennan Feb. 4, 1936 2,036,547 Siemon Apr. 7, 1936 2,133,299 Lillard Oct. 18, 1938 2,199,885 Kravchuk May 7, 1940 2,459,656 Kirschner Jan. 18, 1949 2,535,665 Boyarsky et a1 Dec. 26, 1950 2,729,736 Perez Ian. 3, 1956 2,748,246 Lewis May 29, 1956 2,982,839 Grebel May 2, 1961 3,007,027 Hall Oct. 31, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 331,348 Great Britain July 3, 1930 354,559 Great Britain Aug. 13, 1931 387,582 Great Britain Feb. 9, 1933 

1. AN ELECTRIC LIGHTER COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A CASING OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL, A BATTERY PROVIDED IN SAID CASING AND HAVING AN INSULATED POLE CONTACT AND A SECOND POLE CONTACT IN CIRCUIT WITH THE CASING, AND A REVERSIBLE LIGHTER ELEMENT POSITIONED IN THE CASING, SAID LIGHTER ELEMENT BEING IN CIRCUIT WITH THE CASING AND HAVING AN INSULATED POLE CONTACT ELECTRICALLY ENGAGED WITH SAID INSULATED POLE CONTACT OF SAID BATTERY ONLY WHEN THE LIGHTER ELEMENT IS IN ONE OF ITS TWO REVERSIBLE POSITIONS IN THE CASING, SAID LIGHTER ELEMENT COMPRISING A JACKET OF CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL IN CIRCUIT WITH SAID CASING, AN INSULATING GRID, AND A RESISTANCE WIRE WOUND ON SAID GRID, ONE END OF SAID WIRE BEING CONNECTED TO SAID JACKET AND THE OTHER END THEREOF BEING CONNECTED TO SAID INSULATED POLE CONTACT OF THE LIGHTER ELEMENT. 